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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Army

Robert D. Booker

Private Robert D. Booker, Army, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on April 9, 1943 near Fondouk, Tunisia during World War II.

World War II April 9, 1943Posthumous

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Robert D. Booker was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on April 9, 1943 near Fondouk, Tunisia during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company B, 133d Infantry, 34th Infantry Division. Booker was 22 years old.

Booker was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded.

Booker was born on July 11, 1920 in Callaway, Custer County, Nebraska. He is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Callaway, Nebraska.

Booker is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 20 credited to Nebraska.

★ Assaults on Machine-Gun Nests★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action. On 9 April 1943 in the vicinity of Fondouk, Tunisia, Pvt. Booker, while engaged in action against the enemy, carried a light machine gun and a box of ammunition over 200 yards of open ground. He continued to advance despite the fact that two enemy machine guns and several mortars were using him as an individual target. Although enemy artillery also began to register on him, upon reaching his objective he immediately commenced firing. After being wounded he silenced one enemy machine gun and was begining to fire at the other when he received a second mortal wound. With his last remaining strength he encouraged the members of his squad and directed their fire. Pvt. Booker acted without regard for his own safety. His initiative and courage against insurmountable odds are an example of the highest standard of self-sacrifice and fidelity to duty.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and death in action

  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (April 9, 1943).
  • Age at death: 22
  • Resting place: Rose Hill Cemetery

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War II.

Life beyond the battlefield

  • Occupations: warrior

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Callaway — map
  • Died: Tunisia — map
  • Buried: Rose Hill Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Nebraska →

Timeline

  1. July 11, 1920
    Born in Callaway, Custer County, Nebraska
  2. April 9, 1943
    Act of valor — near Fondouk, Tunisia
    Age 22. Company B, 133d Infantry, 34th Infantry Division Killed in action.
  3. Resting place
    Rose Hill Cemetery
    Callaway, Nebraska

Biography

Robert D. Booker (July 11, 1920 – April 9, 1943) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

From the Wikipedia article “Robert D. Booker”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Named in his honor

More World War II recipients from Nebraska

Dale Merlin Hansen Private · Marine Corps World War II · 1945 ✦ Donald K. Schwab First Lieutenant · Army World War II · 1944 ✦ JP John Joseph Parle Ensign · Navy World War II · 1943 ✦ Harold William "indian joe" Bauer Lieutenant Colonel · Marine Corps World War II · 1942 ✦
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.